Taxi Conversations

 

My husband has a gift.  We took a lot of taxis on this vacation.  Ken has a way of conversing with the taxi drivers, asking them questions, engaging them.

Here is what Ken wrote about these interactions in his journal:

"While at some ports and during our stay in London, we took taxis to many of our desired destinations.  I had a good time visiting with most of the taxi drivers.  I tried to bring them a little closer to God through our short interactions.  Some of them were more responsive than others; however, most of them warmed up to us by the end of our time together."

Two of those conversations were especially poignant and memorable.  I would like to record them as best as I can remember them here.  Both of them happened in London taxis.

The first was the man who gave us a ride to Buckingham Palace on our fourth day in London.  He was a friendly, talkative man.  As Ken got him talking about his family, he expressed such powerful feelings.  He basically preached the gospel!  He said that his first priority is his wife.  Taking care of her, being good to her, keeping her happy is his first priority.  Next, is his children.  Teaching them, caring for them; then his grandchildren.  He said if we all did that, we would have a happy world.  Amen, brother!

The second was on our way to church in London.  He was very interested in our religion and asked a lot of questions.  We told him the name of our church and the address.  He asked if we believed in Jesus Christ.  Then he answered his own question, "Yes, of course you do.  It's in your name isn't it?" (President Nelson would love that story!)  Then he laughed.  He asked questions about our beliefs.  He also expressed feelings about his family and what they meant to him. As I listened to this conversation, I felt the taxi fill with the spirit and tears sprang to my eyes.  This was a conversation that the spirit had arranged! When we arrived at the church, he said he had never taken anyone there before.  Ken invited him in, but he said he had to work.  But I believe seeds were planted and he has positive thoughts and feelings to remember.  

Ken has a gift and is not afraid to open his mouth.  He isn't preachy.  He just chats and good things happen.  In the Doctrine and Covenants it says: "“Open your mouths and they shall be filled,"  

That certainly is the case with Ken.